PREGNANCY OUTCOMES IN A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF PERICONCEPTIONAL MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION - FINAL REPORT

The effect of periconceptional multivitamin/trace element supplementat ion on pregnancy outcomes was evaluated in a randomised controlled tri al. The final data-base included 5,502 females with confirmed pregnanc y. A multivitamin including 0.8 mg folic acid or a trace element were supplemented for at least 28 days before conception and continuing for at least until the second missed menstrual period. Number of pregnanc ies, terminations of pregnancies, four types of fetal deaths, livebirt hs including low birth weight, preterm birth and sex ratio were analys ed. Periconceptional multivitamin supplemetation increased fertility ( higher rates of cumulative conceptions and multiple births), had no si gnificant effect on the rate of different groups of fetal deaths, low birth weight and preterm birth in singletons. This primary preventive method can reduce the occurrence and recurrence of neural-tube defects and had no other significant effect on pregnancy outcomes except mult iple births.